The Liar Paradox and the Towers of Hanoi: The Ten Greatest Math Puzzles of All Time
- Book Review,
by Marcel Danesi
From Book News, Inc.
Danesi (semiotics and linguistics, U. of Toronto) presents ten of the classics in the world of mathematical conundrums, paradoxes, and puzzles. Some examples are tests of semantics and comprehension. Some involve fairly basic math. Others simply appear to be accidents of nature until Danesi explains them all with step-by-step answers that are as complete as they are gentle to those who have spent the previous few pages slapping their foreheads. Along with the title puzzles, Danesi includes Guthrie's Four-Color Problem, Lloyd's Get Off the Earth Puzzle, the Cretan Labyrinth, and the Lo Shu Magic Square, as well as a glossary in case the aforesaid forehead slappers need a quick review.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Review
"As an undergraduate math major, I studied various areas of mathematics as if under a sequence of microscopes. I had no clear picture of what mathematics as a whole was about. Here is a book, based on ten great puzzles, that provides that much needed view from 40,000 feet. Big concepts such as topology, combinatorics, logic, the infinite, and many others come into clear view at this altitude. For those seeking more detail, there is always the option to land and explore a host of mathematical issues, puzzles and related references. Danesi’s approach to relating difficult material is seductive." —Sam Savage, Consulting Professor, Stanford University and Inventor of the Shmuzzle™ Puzzle.
Book Description
A walk through history's most mind-boggling puzzles
Ever since the Sphinx asked his legendary riddle of Oedipus, riddles, conundrums, and puzzles of all sizes have kept humankind perplexed and amused. The Liar Paradox and the Towers of Hanoi takes die-hard puzzle mavens on a tour of the world's most enduringly intriguing braintwisters, from Königsberg's Bridges and the Hanoi Towers to Fibonacci's Rabbits, the Four Color Problem, and the Magic Square. Each chapter introduces the basic puzzle, discusses the mathematics behind it, and includes exercises and answers plus additional puzzles similar to the one under discussion. Here is a veritable kaleidoscope of puzzling labyrinths, maps, bridges, and optical illusions that will keep aficionados entertained for hours.
Marcel Danesi (Etobicoke, ON, Canada) is the author of Increase Your Puzzle IQ
Download Description
A walk through history's most mind-boggling puzzles
Ever since the Sphinx asked his legendary riddle of Oedipus, riddles, conundrums, and puzzles of all sizes have kept humankind perplexed and amused. The Liar Paradox and the Towers of Hanoi takes die-hard puzzle mavens on a tour of the world's most enduringly intriguing braintwisters, from Königsberg's Bridges and the Hanoi Towers to Fibonacci's Rabbits, the Four Color Problem, and the Magic Square. Each chapter introduces the basic puzzle, discusses the mathematics behind it, and includes exercises and answers plus additional puzzles similar to the one under discussion. Here is a veritable kaleidoscope of puzzling labyrinths, maps, bridges, and optical illusions that will keep aficionados entertained for hours.
Marcel Danesi (Etobicoke, ON, Canada) is the author of Increase Your Puzzle IQ
About the Author
MARCEL DANESI is the author of Increase Your Puzzle IQ (Wiley) and The Puzzle Instinct, among many other books on semiotic topics. He is Professor of Semiotics and Linguistics at the University of Toronto and Director of the Program in Semiotics and Communication Theory. Danesi has also been cross-appointed as a professor of education, having established a continuing studies mathematics program for students with difficulties in this subject.
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